It makes sense to me why there is a tide facing the Sun and a sublunar tide, but why is there a tidal bulge on the opposite side of the Earth too?
In: Planetary Science
So while the ‘earth falls away’ statement is true that usually confuses non-physics people.
It’s a lot easier to understand as centrical force. The moon and earth stay an equal distance apart because the pull of gravity and the centrifugal force of their rotation cancel out.
Moon side tide: What pulls the earth and moon together? – gravity. Where is gravity strongest? – on the side closest to the other object. Thus the tidal bulge on the side closest to the moon.
Fare side tide: What pulls the earth and moon apart? – centrifugal force. Where is the centrifugal force strongest? – on the outside of the rotation. Thus the tidal bulge on the far side from the moon.
This can also confuse because people can visualize the moon circling around and the earth not moving. The earth moving, it just the center of the earth-moon rotation is inside the earth. So rotates for the earth is more of a wobble. Think of it like holding a glass when you swirl your drink around. It is a tiny circle but still makes the liquid go up on one side.
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